December concerts and recitals and parties

 School Christmas Concert

 To say that both Amelia and I were excited for her first Christmas concert would be an understatement :)  We felt lucky that Great-Grandma Hinko could be there and a sad because our Dad was in Finland for work. Technology is amazing in that I took video with my phone and sent him pictures too so he was able to enjoy her performance from across the world.  Amelia's class performed with the other morning and afternoons kinders, so there were around 60 little people belting out the songs they had practiced, it was darling.  We got a picture with Amelia and her music teacher, who also happens to play the violin (coolness!!!!).  Ms. F played the violin as prelude music and I couldn't help smiling, taking in the melodic sound, watching the younger brothers and sisters quiet down and listen as her bow slid across the strings. 

 Songs included:

Rudolf the Red nose Reindeer

Away in a Manger

We Wish you a Merry Christmas

M-E-R-R-Y C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

 Joy School Nativity Party
Can I just say that our Joy School group ROCKS!!!!!  We actually had enough for two little groups of four this year so are usually divided but decided to get together for holiday celebrations because being together sometimes is just so wonderful.  It was fantastic :) We did a quick performance for the mommas and sang a beautiful song called Mary's Lullaby with the iPad accompanying us.

 First Violin Recital Christmas Edition

Oh my this was darling!!!!!!!!

Our girl was a bit nervous, perhaps because it would just be her and her teacher Hazel. We did lots of talking about it and Amelia ADORES Hazel so even though there were a few tears when I brought her back stage, she walked out confidently to perform with a big smile, violin under her arm all professional like, gave a little wave then got all focused.  She played Jingle Bells and I dare say she received quite loud applause for a recital! She did soooooo good, finished up with a little bow and was all smiles for the rest of the night.  Her teacher Hazel is in university to be a Music Teacher and there is some mutual adoration going on there. Hazel calls Amelia Miss Mouse and asked if she could take Amelia to meet her parents....it was rather adorable!  On Amelia's second lesson Hazel played her 'Let it Go' and I had tingles knowing that Hazel would help show Amelia her potential, the potential of the instrument and helping a love of music (that was already there) to grow.  It is beautiful!

Grandpa Ed and Maureen were able to come see the recital, pretty special!

Serious enthusiasm going on here!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!

 

Ballet Christmas Recital

The song 'Suzie Snowflake' was never more enchanting then having little ballerinas perform a darling routine to it! The adorableness was off the charts.  Our ballet beauty did a fabulous job remembering the routine and being graceful.

Little Sister Hot Chocolate Date with Momma
Little sister has been a wonderful sidekick through the holiday season.  Her and I are pretty much inseparable!  No, for reals the woman and I really love one another. With Graham being away, lots of evening concerts etc and our routine being different I knew that our little miss might need some extra loving, she is a routine needing woman.  A special hot chocolate date was just what we both needed.

Joy School Reindeer Party 
Five kiddos wearing antlers freeze dancing to Christmas music, doesn't get much cuter. Also playing with the nativity costumes was a highlight.  This angel pic makes me smile for some reason.

 Gingerbread House Making at School
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE any opportunity to be in Amelia's class.  It is the fun-est!!! Gingerbread making, I was totally into it.  It is fun to get to know the kiddos and be part of some of the special things she does at school.  I also went another day when they sewed stockings with their grade 6 buddies. It was nice to meet her buddy CJ, who I have heard so much about :P

Ward Christmas Party
Our youth from church were the 3rd and final group to use the nativity costumes our family has.  It is a privilege to get to serve the young peeps in our ward. How do you get Young Men and Young Women pumped to dress up and on time??? Offer a first come, first picks for beards and cool costume accessories :) The youth rocked it!!!  They even used Gramma and Grandpa Hudkins script.

That is a wrap for parties, recitals and concerts this year. It was busy but good!

~ Mrs. P

Christmas Day

This year we opted to do Christmas Day with just our little fam jam and it ended up being so lovely!

Not going to lie Christmas has always meant tons of family, visiting, games and laughs but we really felt like it was best for us to be together the four of us this year.  I still wanted it to be special so planned to do a nice dinner and cook a big ham then we could have left overs for a meal with my Hinko family a few days later.  I wanted it to be nice, so planned to use our good china.  The one other time we did Christmas alone I cried, yup totally had tears so although we chose to do Christmas this way I wanted to do a few things to make it special.  At about 3pm we were all still in pjs having sang 'Let it Go' on the karaoke machine a hundred times already.  I started to have a sad moment but sweet Mr. P told the ladies that we should all go get ready for our Princess Christmas Dinner and everyone snapped to it!!!!!  We all got spiffy and while Graham and I finished up the dinner prep the girls went and accessorized....for REAL they got all decked out in their rings and necklaces, it made this jewellery lovin momma smile!  When we sat down for our meal and said a dinner prayer it was so lovely.  So special to get to use our good dishes and have candles and be together, so nice!!

Of course after dinner there was more karaoke singing.

~ Mrs. P

Christmas Morning Magic

Christmas with kiddos ROCKS!!!!  There is such magic on Christmas morning.   

We are all so super lucky to have one another, the blessing of family has been on the forefront of my mind this year for many reasons.  I am grateful for my little family, the joy they bring to my life and truly wish that everyone. 

 The girls have been sleeping together (because that is what they like to do on non-school nights) but snuck into our bed in the early morning (because they do that every night :)  They weirdly slept in a little 7am - that is a sleep in for us!!!!!

Some serious excitement and smiles! Of course it makes us smile.

We kept it simple this year with our gifts for one another but Graham picked photos and did a picture frame gift for me, yup I teared up!
Also very sweet was watching the ladies open their gifts to one another. Giving, giving, giving oh how we want that joy to be equal to the getting, getting, getting. Gotta try right?!

Off to prepare our little family meal.  Ham and some Ukrainian dishes, yummy!!!!

~ Mrs. P

Christmas Day

My dear precious Jesus, I did not mean to take Your place;
I only bring toys and things, You bring love and grace.
People give me lists of wishes, and hope that they come true;
But You hear prayers of the heart, and promise Your will to do.
Children try to be good, and not cry, when I come to town;
But You love them unconditionally, with a love that will abound.
I leave only a bag of toys and temporary joy for a season;
But You leave a heart of love, full of purpose for permanent reasons.
I have a lot of believers and what one might call fame;
But I never healed the blind, or tried to help the lame.
I have rosy cheeks and a voice full of laughter;
But no nail-scarred hands or a promise of the hereafter.
You may find several of me in town, or even at the mall;
But there is only one omnipotent You, to answer a sinner’s call.
And so, my dear precious Jesus, I kneel here to humbly pray;
To worship and adore You on this, Your holy birthday.

 I saw this floating around facebook and LOVED it!!!!

I love the symbol of goodness that Santa is; gifts to all, laughter, jolly and happiness. Christmas trees and many of the other traditions of the season can help us cherish our family and if we allow it....draw us closer to Jesus Christ - the Reason for Season.

~ Mrs. P

Christmas Eve

Appetizers and Chocolate Fondue with the Bird crew!

 Some serious scrumptious food happened tonight.  It is our family tradition to do appetizers, sadly our poor Amelia still wasn't feeling very good and ended up falling asleep on the couch.   This year we made a conscious effort to have a slow pace, to seek the peace of the season and to focus on our little family. It has been a beautiful few weeks!!!

 After the birds went home we rolled into the other special traditions we have. Open a gift, which is ALWAYS new pajamas's.  Graham read the Christmas story to us from Luke and we ladies crafted :) Last year I had found a foam nativity to build and Amelia asked if we could do it again this year. Sadly, the lady had only a little spurt of energy and then ended up resting in the chair. Stella and I finished it up and then prepared the treat for Santa and the Reindeer.

Matching slippers!!!!! Matching Jammies for the girls!

 

We also did some Santa tracking! Kinda fun :)

It has been so special doing our advent bags this year.  I am a bit sad for it to be over.  Each bag contained a treat, a toy and an ornament with a different name for Jesus Christ and coinciding scripture.  Opening our daily advent bags and reading that scripture has perhaps become my most cherished tradition.  We usually open the bag in the morning, often nibbling on the candy canes or chocolates even before breakfast ha!  It has been such a great way for us to focus daily on the more spiritual part of Christmas.  It was cool when this morning Amelia woke with excitement and announced that tomorrow would be Jesus birthday.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peach." Isaiah 9:6

~ Mrs. P